Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests 12 In ₹25 Lakh Extortion Case

In a significant operation, the Mumbai Crime Branch's Unit-9 has arrested notorious gangster Zulfiqar Behlim, his brother Mohsin Behlim, and 10 other associates for allegedly extorting ₹25 lakh from a Mumbai-based builder. The gang had demanded the money to allow construction work to continue, threatening the developer with dire consequences, including death, if the extortion demand was not met.

The arrests were made on July 27, 2026, in Bandra, where the Crime Branch laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while they were allegedly accepting the extortion money. Preliminary investigations suggest that the gang had similarly intimidated several businessmen to extort money.

A case has been registered at Bandra police station, and the accused were produced before a court, which remanded all 12 to police custody till July 31. The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior officers by Unit-9 In-charge Senior Police Inspector Sachin Puranik and his team.

Mohsin and Zulfiqar were previously involved in the 2009 murder of a rival gangster. Mohsin was serving a life sentence at Kolhapur Central Jail before being released on 25-day parole in 2016. During his parole, Mohsin and his associates allegedly committed another crime.

The Mumbai Crime Branch's crackdown on organised crime is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of citizens, particularly businessmen, in the city. The arrest of Zulfiqar Behlim and his associates sends a strong message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated.

The extortion case highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between the police and the public to prevent such crimes. The Mumbai police have urged citizens to come forward and report any instances of extortion or intimidation.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to gather more evidence and build a strong case against the accused. The arrests are a significant achievement for the Mumbai Crime Branch, and the city can hope for a safer and more secure environment.

The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of the parole system and the need for stricter laws to prevent repeat offenders from committing crimes. The Mumbai police will have to work closely with other agencies to ensure that such crimes are prevented in the future.

In conclusion, the arrest of Zulfiqar Behlim and his associates is a significant step towards combating organised crime in Mumbai. The city can hope for a safer and more secure environment, and the police will have to continue their efforts to prevent such crimes and bring criminals to justice.